victory!!

matt found the camera! we thought we had looked everywhere but apparently we hadn't. we shall return triumphantly/abundantly with pictures from all the beautiful places we've been, probably tonight once we're in seattle. hooray!

the road to Spokane

So we finally made it to the pacific time zone. We made it through numerous beautiful national parks, and along many scenic country roads through South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana (and bits of Idaho and Washington now). Unfortunately my camera decided to stay in Wyoming (Yellowstone) while we were backcountry camping, so no pictures of said beautiful parks (Yellowstone, Badlands, Glacier) will be available unless I can get my camera back.

I was looking for a way to make a switch from my all-picture posting, I just didn't expect it to be so abrupt. I am looking into maybe making a series of quick digital paintings recollecting the landscapes from my mind's eye. It might be more meaningful and interesting that way anyways, rather than an endless stream of pictures. I will be setting up a slideshow to run on the side of the blog to show all pictures to date, and pictures to come after we purchase a replacement camera in the next day or so. That way you can see pictures without being inundated with them on the main page. Also, we can focus more on the content of the trip.

However we continue onward and are on the way to Seattle tomorrow. Today is the first in a few days with a shower and a real bed, so that will be enjoyable. More to come after we get some rest and some lovely Seattle coffee.

Dinner on the lake at Paizan's, Madison

Apparatus for delivering water to football players

I thought this was an interesting and complex device to get the spout through the mask with kind of an elongated tube. Also the fact that they anticipate every player blasting water into their mouth at the same time with that many tubes. Is that even possible with water pressure?

Blake's Big Game

The excitement of Junior High Football. A very American fall moment.

Obligatory rearview shot: Madison in passing

Madison, WI Glowing Capital Building

Nothing more American than an Octopus Car Wash

Drive by Architecture: Ella's Deli Madison

No trip to Wisconsin is complete without curds

Hooray! Salty and delicious. -2 points for not beckoming squeaky until 10 or 15 minutes of sitting in the car. It should be noted that these came from the wonder that is Kwik Trip.

I unfortunately forgot my camera inside and did not get to take pictures of BAG MILK. Kwik Trip has incredibly reasonable food and milk prices, and is apparently running some sort of central American banana racket where they can sell banana's at 39 cents a pound. That ain't right.

Bucolic Allenton, WI

Brooks Steven's new location in Allenton

With plenty of space out in Allenton, WI the team is merging into the old Ingenium space.

Architecture Driveby: Calatrava Milwaukee Art Museum

Wings not open for business yet

Learning the self take: part 1

Downtown Waukesha

three days in and I'm already losing track of time...

so we left Columbus, OH on Monday morning and have been pretty disconnected from the outside world since then. I already have to think really hard about whatday of the week or day of the month it is. this isn't a big issue for now, since we have a set schedule until we get to Portland. but after that? we have a general idea for California, but not much else. and we have to make it home in time to vote, of course!

we're currently at Matt's parents' house in Stillwater, MN and tomorrow we head out for four days of camping, including the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Glacier. needless to say, we're pretty excited. we've driven from Ohio to Stillwater before (albeit in one day, not three), so we don't really feel like we're on a roadtrip yet. something tells me I won't be feeling the same way this time tomorrow.

we'll try to update as frequently as possible, although we can't guarantee we'll be able to find wifi in the next few days. there should definitely be another update by the first of October, though. oh, and send us your address if you want a postcard from along the way!

How you know you are in Wisconsin pt. 2

PBR and Old Style signs on bars. Not ironic or hipster either.

How you know you are in Wisconsin

After years of passing this on drives to Milwaukee, we stopped at the Cheese Castle near Kenosha. Not as epic inside, but a good if not overpriced cross-section of Wisconsin foods.

Breezing throught he Windy City

Pilot #2 Mr. Anthony

Hey, remember when they won

Powering the Rest Stops

Road construction and highway shelters seem to be leading the way in American alternative energy usage in the midwest states...probably due to lack of wiring out there...or the fact that this can help them run a small bathroom without buying power constantly.

Spotted in Indy

Indianapolis as a vehicle to Chicago

Midwest Hotel Vernacular

Right now it seems that every new hotel out here has this general form of a plaster pastel building with crown molding. Some of them even skew towards Egyptian temple in the resulting shape. Its quite bizaar. I'm not sure what started the trend, but it does help you identify that the building is a hotel...

Wonders of the Midwest

Pilot 1: Mrs. Anthony

Road Trip begins: Day 1 Columbus to Milwaukee